The release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus is fast approaching, and along with several Hisuian variants like Hisuian Voltorb and Hisuian Zorua, it has been confirmed that Darkrai will be making an appearance in the game as well. When Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl were released last month, players could find this mysterious Pokémon in the Sinnoh region after obtaining the National PokéDex. While it wasn’t stated in the latest trailer to be released in America, the Japanese gameplay trailer released the same day showed that Darkrai will be available for certain players in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Introduced in Gen IV in the original Diamond & Pearl games, Darkrai is a rare Mythical Pokémon that players will soon have another chance to encounter as they explore the ancient region of Hisui Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Darkrai is a pure Dark-type Pokémon known in the Pokémon world for invading dreams and causing people to have horrible, neverending nightmares. However, this act is actually self-defense, and Darkrai doesn’t harbor malicious intent towards humans. It’s unclear what stories and legends may surround this Mythical Pokémon in the Hisui region of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Still, some players will be able to find and catch this Pokémon as part of a research quest.
In the original Diamond & Pearl for the Nintendo DS, Darkrai was only available as a Mystery Gift during a limited-time event, making this popular Mythical Pokémon extremely rare back in Gen IV. Now, Darkrai will only be available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus for trainers who have also played Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. As part of the Galaxy Expedition Team, they’ll be among the first to learn all about Darkrai as they study it to complete its entry in the first-ever PokéDex.
Getting Darkrai In Pokémon Legends: Arceus
After beating the main storyline of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players who have save files for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl on their Switch consoles will be able to find and catch Darkrai in Legends as part of the postgame content. After the credits roll, players will be able to return to Jubilife Village and accept a research quest from a certain NPC there to find and catch Darkrai. Unfortunately, players who haven’t logged any hours in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl on their Switch won’t be able to get this quest in their games, but it’s not required that players beat Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl before being able to find Darkrai in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Additionally, players who have Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl save files will be able to get the Modern Team Galactic clothing set that is designed to look like the familiar Team Galactic get-up from the current Sinnoh era. This outfit can be purchased from the clothing shop in Jubilife Village after players join the Galaxy Expedition Team. According to the Pokémon Company, this area will become available after about an hour of gameplay.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be available on Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022.